Top 5 favourites to win the African Player of the Year Award

#1 Sadio Mane - Liverpool, Senegal

Mane has been the best African player in 2019

At the end of last season, Sadio Mane and teammate Salah were neck-to-neck in terms of performances and quality. The Senegalese international has, however, propelled himself into a different stratosphere this season.

Being Liverpool's best player by far in a season where the Reds are unbeaten and sit on top of the Premier League, Mane's game has evolved and improved exponentially.

Not only has he established himself as the best African footballer, but he has also been in talks as one of the frontrunners for the Ballon d'Or.

Winning a penalty in stoppage time against Leicester City, scoring a 95th-minute winner in a tough game against Aston Villa, the Senegalese international has been the most consistent forward for the Reds in 2019.

The 27-year-old has been involved in 10 goals in 13 PL appearances so far, alongside netting 2 goals in the Champions League.

Mane's pace, explosiveness and quick thinking is a menace for any defender facing him. He is a strong contender for the Golden Boot this season too, and his recent performances have made him a favourite to win the African Player of the Year Award this year.